act9mini

Oh? Where's this coming from?

The way she sees things... is kind of like how I used to. She might be more blunt... but she's got none of that excess baggage.

Pffhaha. That's just what I need, you two finding common ground.

The next day...

An abandoned office building entrance

This is the place, right? This dump... is this seriously a knightclub?

Whatever, just in case. I might as well go in and ask...

Hey, are the Flametail or Ashlock Knights in here—

Looking for the leader?

Yeah, I'm here to check in.

I'm surprised someone actually came knocking... Unfortunately, they just left on business... Why are you carrying luggage?

I'm surprised myself. What's got this place so strapped for cash? You don't even have a sofa?

Award money's ample for knights, true... but Sona and her crew use most of it to settle Infected.

Oh, I see. Thing is, I just got kicked out by my landlord, so I've only got my knightclub for shelter.

Put your luggage down for now, and we can work out what to do once the leader's back.

Speaking of, are they this busy all the time? Where do they drill?

There's a lot of work-related communication that needs handling.

Audits against Knightclubs for Infected knights are getting stricter. The Flametail and Ashlock Knights are constantly talking with the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi and the Grand Knight Territory.

*yawn* That's bureaucrats for you, all image. I thought at least there'd be proper eats for my initiation ceremony. Ashlock sure seemed like she could handle her drink.

Speaking of Ashlock, where's she put her cannon? I've been wanting to check it out. With a 'baaang' like that, and that truckload of destructive power...

Er, her weapon's... probably at home.

You're duping me.

Huh? Nuh-uh...

I can tell. You're hiding something from me.

What, scared to tell me where Flametail and Ashlock are right now? They're up to something outside of the Major for sure. Sensed as much during our conversation last night.

The leader did warn me someone might be coming, but the rest isn't... for me to tell you.

If she doesn't want you telling me, why wouldn't they wait until I came before they left?

They...

Something's definitely pressing on 'em, and that's what's keeping 'em away from here. It can't be anything good.

Ha, I was right!

I knew it. It couldn't have been that simple when they came looking for me. You're up to some risky business, aren't you?

If Flametail and Ashlock made the right call... then they—no, we—want you to lend us your power.

Oh, and there's the other thing... they put up some extra money to rescue you.

...Can you repeat that?

They wouldn't have wanted you to know. Not every member agrees with how our leader's going about things. She saw the news report about you, and decided to try getting you out.

Since the deal even got made, there must have been conditions attached...

Stop. I don't wanna owe 'em favors. If that's really how it's going down, I'm mad as hell, because I've got some responsibility for this too.

Fess up. Where'd they go?

They went to a neighborhood with an Infected settlement, to scatter them before they're taken away.

Wait, Wild Mane!

What now?

Flametail and Ashlock, they're both exceptionally kind, honest knights. I'm certain they want to recruit you because they know you're like us...

They're not just Infected knights, they're people who want to change the lot of the Infected in Kazimierz.

And what does that mean?

When you... see their efforts, you'll understand.

Over there—over there—

Don't worry, just get behind me...

Come out, Infected! You can't run!

*whimper*... I'm sorry... I... I'm not bad... don't take me...

Calm down, I'll keep them away. Are you all hidden, kid?

Yeah... Miss, I—I'm scared... where's... mom and dad...

I'll protect you, just like your mom and dad did. Trust me, okay? Once I call for you to come out, we'll find somewhere new to live, together.

Miss... I want to go home...

Keep quiet a sec.

Mmm...

Right then.

Phew. C'mere—

Yo.

Huh?! You—

...Wild Mane?

Found you this fast and all I had was a wisp of a clue, and I got here quicker than that gray Zalak did. No slouch, am I?

You really did track us down.

You're protecting this kid? He's Infected?

Yep.

What, you're gonna hide a kid here? That's a whole five hunters. If just one of 'em succeeds, then he's lost before you even try to get him back.

We... we're too short-handed right now. This is the most we can do.

Mm-hm. So, this is what you're really up to?

Yeah. That's about the size of it.

You're not just in for Infected knights. You guys are helping out more Infected besides, aren't you?

That's the deal.

Ha... and that's why you only recruit Infected knights. Because only the Infected would sympathize with Infected.

Everyone keeps the same secret, has the same wish, even though it seems... totally head-on with those competition knights, yeah?

Yeah. Wild Mane, I don't have time to give you the whole story right now, so if you want out...

Why? I think this is majorly cool.

Oh?

Yeah, no time. But before anything else, Flametail, I want you to seriously, truly invite me one more time.

You mean... you've decided to do this with us?

Ha. What, am I not just like you?

Alright... I get it.

Wild Mane, are you willing to become a member of the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub, to aid and be aided as an Infected knight, and to give your all, as we all do, for the sake of the Infected?

Wild Mane? Sorry, I messed that up, didn't I. I never feel like that speech quite works for me...

Call me Iwona.

I'm the Wild Mane Knight, Iwona Krukowska.

Ha. Alright, you're calling me Sona then.

Sure, Sona. I, Iwona, as a new inductee to the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub, will serve as a knight to seize glory, and to achieve our ideals.

And my ideals—Sona, if Pinus Sylvestris can change the lot of the Infected, and protect the people... then together with you, I'm going for broke.

Going for broke... yeah, that's exactly the right choice of words here.

But it's not time to stake our lives just yet. We can't leave this kid alone. You're the leader, and it'll be too risky if anyone sees you in an alley doing this stuff.

Just get the kid out of here for now, and I'll handle things here.

Watch close, see what I'm really capable of—wait, no, you oughta go first. Watch another time, then!

Get out of here! By the time you've got the kid dropped off safe, I'll probably be on my way back to find you.

Got it. Don't make this a scene though. Settle it slick, and we'll be waiting for you at the real Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub camp!

No sweat.

Phew... kept'cha waiting, huh, Ashley...

Good going, Sona. All done?

For the time being. Say, where's Iwona... uh, Wild Mane?

Seems she went off reminiscing with Jamie...

Here you were, I got back forever ago. Wanted to ask Jamie for a drink, but there's no good booze anywhere around here.

How's this, then. You get the prize money, and I'll treat you to a round.

Ha, done.